Hurricanes and DCL

[little_orange_bird]

Thoughts on the Monday, Sept 18 Dream sailing? I'm full on freaking out. I posted on another Irma thread that we're supposed to fly in 13th from a park visit first . Any positive thoughts? Sorry edited to add that my keyboard freaked out for some reason and I had to post half a post! Thanks guys.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Thoughts on the Monday, Sept 18 Dream sailing? I'm full on freaking out. I posted on another Irma thread that we're supposed to fly in 13th from a park visit first . Any positive thoughts? Sorry edited to add that my keyboard freaked out for some reason and I had to post half a post! Thanks guys.

I'd think this area will be back to normal by the 18th sailing. I don't see why planes wouldn't come in on the 13th also. The storm is hitting like Sunday and Monday.

 

[Spize]

Thoughts on the Monday, Sept 18 Dream sailing? I'm full on freaking out. I posted on another Irma thread that we're supposed to fly in 13th from a park visit first . Any positive thoughts? Sorry edited to add that my keyboard freaked out for some reason and I had to post half a post! Thanks guys.

It's more about if you can get there than if they can get in and out of the port.

Ports are worried about different things than everyone else is... ports are worried about shifting sand filling ship lanes and rough waters making it unsafe to put a ship through narrow lanes.

 

[mrswillson]

We're getting ready to sail on 09/09 and I'm full on freaking out at this point. Hurricane Irma is on the fast track to give me ulcers. My husband and I live an hour from PC and while I'm concerned about what happens with DCL in terms of a possible delayed sailing and/or the up-in-the-air itinerary, it's stressful enough worrying about our house alone. The spaghetti plots keep inching Irma away from the east coast, which is relieving, but a direct hit through the lower center of the state still seems likely. I agree with many of the other posters that I don't believe for a second we will be cancelled entirely, however what DCL's plans are is a mystery. Bottom line: September is not friendly for cruising!

 

[little_orange_bird]

@LoveBWVVBR i could just hug you. Thank you!!

@Spize I'm not sure I'm following you-basically that Port Canaveral might be a mess?

 

[timrousbeastie]

Still moving forward for the 9/9 cruise. Packing and planning and watching the weather. Where we go is anyone's guess, but don't want to go north! We fly in Thursday night.

As others have said, you'll be safe no matter what happens. We once had a trip to WDW during a Cat 3 and it turned into one of our best and most memorable vacations. In large part because we ended up getting something good out of a difficult situation and because the Disney staff were so wonderful about it.

Honestly, though, if I were you, I would book a hotel room at one of the Disney resorts for 2 nights around the sail date, just as a back-up. I'd write off the expense as I hopefully would never have to check in, but it would be really good to have as a plan B. I actually did this myself during our trip in 2004 when we were staying a week at the Beach Club Villas (no cruise). 5 days before Jeanne arrived, I extended our stay by two nights based on the projections, and it meant that the family was extremely comfortable, even as the hurricane passed by and, more importantly, as the airlines scrambled to re-book everyone. I am sure Disney would have taken care of us anyway, but having to be shuttled around to a random hotel right before a hurricane, or waiting at the airport for a flight home, would have been a lot more stressful. Anyway, just an idea.

 

[disneyholic family]

As others have said, you'll be safe no matter what happens. We once had a trip to WDW during a Cat 3 and it turned into one of our best and most memorable vacations. In large part because we ended up getting something good out of a difficult situation and because the Disney staff were so wonderful about it.

Honestly, though, if I were you, I would book a hotel room at one of the Disney resorts for 2 nights around the sail date, just as a back-up. I'd write off the expense as I hopefully would never have to check in, but it would be really good to have as a plan B. I actually did this myself during our trip in 2004 when we were staying a week at the Beach Club Villas (no cruise). 5 days before Jeanne arrived, I extended our stay by two nights based on the projections, and it meant that the family was extremely comfortable, even as the hurricane passed by and, more importantly, as the airlines scrambled to re-book everyone. I am sure Disney would have taken care of us anyway, but having to be shuttled around to a random hotel right before a hurricane, or waiting at the airport for a flight home, would have been a lot more stressful. Anyway, just an idea.

we also had a very memorable hurricane vacation at WDW...i think it was in 1995.....
the CMs were fabulous....the resort kept calling us to kept us apprised of what was happening as the storm hit (they had instructed all guests to remain in their rooms to ride out the storm...and the parks were closed)...

before the hurricane all the activity in the resort was amazing...they didn't just tie stuff down..
they removed everything that wasn't permanently bolted down...
every lounge chair was removed....taken somewhere...i don't know where..

and after the hurricane, there was a lot of damage at WDW, but you could see people everywhere immediately working on the clean up..

it was definitely memorable and we had a fantastic time despite the storm..

.

 

[Spize]

Disney isn't going to mess around. If you can't get to and from the port on land they aren't going to force you.

Say if Fantasy makes port 9/16 but Jose hits... they aren't kicking you off the ship into an early death.

Btw, speaking of safety... Disney's failure in Sandy was plowing the Fantasy straight through it. They didn't sink a ship or anything, they just gave those people a crappy 7th day of their vacation. Even Disney knows they failed and won't do it again.

@LoveBWVVBR i could just hug you. Thank you!!

@Spize I'm not sure I'm following you-basically that Port Canaveral might be a mess?

What I'm saying is the port only cares about safety. So if it's unsafe, the port will close, but if it's safe (meaning you won't die or get seriously injured) and just a giant pain in the *** uncomfortable in and out... open.

While we'd love every cruise to be awesome start to finish, this being my 4th I've come to learn safety comes first, once that's out of the way fun begins.

We are 1 for 3 on weather being good enough for sailing away party, but once out to sea the captain finds good weather for most of the trip.

 

[Spize]

Btw, if everything stays how it looks now, I'm thinking we (9/9 fantasy) may not end up in the Virgin Islands.

We are scheduled to be there right after they get blasted by two hurricanes, and it's likely we'd have to hope Jose jumps North to not get slammed on our way to what's probably going to be a massive humanitarian crisis... I have my doubts.

Plus, the models for Irma and Jose https://www.cyclocane.com/irma-storm-tracker/ look like a Sunday (day at sea) the clearest lane to a port of call Disney regularly visits is sliding between Cuba and Dominican Republic to Jamaica (Also the only place in the Caribbean not currently about to be slammed by a hurricane or recovering from a recent hurricane)

Again, I'm just along for the ride like the rest of you, but I'm prepared to not be headed east.

Then again, a week ago the models showed Irma sliding North and she went South... so Jose might slide strong North opening the door for our trip to be as planned.

 

[Spize]

Btw, if you're driving (like we are) be on the safe side and pack a case of bottled water and a extra day worth of snacks in the car (not to take on ship) just in case.

 

[lorimay]

I'm in Ft Lauderdale, this Irma is starting to freak me out. I usually don't panic, but this one....... 180 mile winds

Now Jose is right behind...ugh

We don't sail until the 30th hope they all disperse by then.

 

[kddlm]

My sister and her family are on the Fantasy now! I'm more worried about them getting back to Port Canaveral in the thick of this! Cruise ends on Sat. then they drive back to NC...still not a good scenario!

 

[Disneylovebirds]

Hey guys,

With the latest 11am update, Irma is a cat 5 with 180mph winds. It looks like there may be a direct impact with south Florida where I live.

I booked the Friday 9/8 cruise for my anniversary with my husband and one year old son. My daughter is only five months old so we have to leave her behind with my parents. I absolutely do not feel comfortable leaving her behind but I called Disney and since I didn't book trip insurance it would be a total loss (they would only give me back taxes paid).

Is there anyone else I can call with Disney? Do you guys think the cruise will still leave instead of being cancelled? I'm devastated about potentially losing all of the money we saved for this cruise, but I cant leave her, our house, or our pets behind as it stands now. Pet boarding is already threatening to cancel our reservation if the track doesn't improve.

I'm at a loss with all of this...

 

[kddlm]

@Disneylovebirds It would still be a loss if Disney cancels the cruise?

 

[OneTrueKing]

Hey guys,

With the latest 11am update, Irma is a cat 5 with 180mph winds. It looks like there may be a direct impact with south Florida where I live.

I booked the Friday 9/8 cruise for my anniversary with my husband and one year old son. My daughter is only five months old so we have to leave her behind with my parents. I absolutely do not feel comfortable leaving her behind but I called Disney and since I didn't book trip insurance it would be a total loss (they would only give me back taxes paid).

Is there anyone else I can call with Disney? Do you guys think the cruise will still leave instead of being cancelled? I'm devastated about potentially losing all of the money we saved for this cruise, but I cant leave her, our house, or our pets behind as it stands now. Pet boarding is already threatening to cancel our reservation if the track doesn't improve.

I'm at a loss with all of this...

We're on the same sail date and keep looking for a fb group to see what thoughts are going on there but no luck.

I'd say at this point that do what you feel most comfortable with.

 

[Disneylovebirds]

@Disneylovebirds It would still be a loss if Disney cancels the cruise?

No they said that is the one scenario whee we could get refunded, but the rep said he hasn't seen that happen in the 11 years he has been there

 

[lanejudy]

@Disneylovebirds It would still be a loss if Disney cancels the cruise?

No they said that is the one scenario whee we could get refunded, but the rep said he hasn't seen that happen in the 11 years he has been there

If DCL cancels, there will be refunds available without going through travel insurance. If DCL doesn't cancel, the only recourse is through insurance, and what is covered will depend on the policy language.

Wasn't one of the Dream cruises canceled outright last year because the ship couldn't get back to port until a day or two late? But that's the only one I recall in recent years. So, yeah, an outright cancellation is not the most likely scenario.

@Disneylovebirds If you feel that strongly that you can't leave home, I wouldn't cancel but rather just sit tight and see what happens. At best, DCL cancels and you get a refund (which you won't get if you cancel first). Or possibly an itinerary change and/or the storm shifts and you decide your family can travel. At worst, you lose the cost of the cruise (minus the refunded taxes) but your family is together and you have the peace of mind you needed at this time. There is no price-tag for that

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Hey guys,

With the latest 11am update, Irma is a cat 5 with 180mph winds. It looks like there may be a direct impact with south Florida where I live.

I booked the Friday 9/8 cruise for my anniversary with my husband and onwhere the cruise may go and leaving an infant behind e year old son. My daughter is only five months old so we have to leave her behind with my parents. I absolutely do not feel comfortable leaving her behind but I called Disney and since I didn't book trip insurance it would be a total loss (they would only give me back taxes paid).

Is there anyone else I can call with Disney? Do you guys think the cruise will still leave instead of being cancelled? I'm devastated about potentially losing all of the money we saved for this cruise, but I cant leave her, our house, or our pets behind as it stands now. Pet boarding is already threatening to cancel our reservation if the track doesn't improve.

I'm at a loss with all of this...

It is not just the cruise and where it may or may not go, but the fact that you a leaving your baby behind and your home is in the path of this storm as of today. Given you do not have insurance, I would hang tight for a bit. Hurricanes can be funny, they can curve, bend and stall. It is going to be hard, but wait another day or two if you can. See what the cruise line is going to do, what the hurricane is going to do etc. Then it will be your call. There is no price for piece of mind and to secure your property and keep your family together. Wishing you the best and the mental strength to hang on for another day in hopes that things change for the best possible outcome.

 

[mevelandry]

Regarding Irma,

I noticed that Carnival has changed the itinerary of 4 cruiseships that were departing Sept 2 and 3 but no word yet regarding the cruises of next week-end.

Royal Caribbean has just cancelled 2 Bahamas cruises (Enchantment from Miami & Majesty from Port Canaveral) that were going to depart Sept. 8, 2017 (friday).

Five other cruises departing next week-end are still "in limbo".Copy-paste from FB:

Allure of the Seas: September 10 Western Caribbean cruise
Anthem of the Seas: September 9 Bermuda cruise
Empress of the Seas: September 9 Cuba cruise
Harmony of the Seas: September 9 Eastern Caribbean cruise
Oasis of the Seas: September 10 Eastern Caribbean cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line: Nothing so far. Update at 2:00 PM today.

I think that might give you a good idea about the odds regarding DCL...

 

[Spize]

Hey guys,

With the latest 11am update, Irma is a cat 5 with 180mph winds. It looks like there may be a direct impact with south Florida where I live.

I booked the Friday 9/8 cruise for my anniversary with my husband and one year old son. My daughter is only five months old so we have to leave her behind with my parents. I absolutely do not feel comfortable leaving her behind but I called Disney and since I didn't book trip insurance it would be a total loss (they would only give me back taxes paid).

Is there anyone else I can call with Disney? Do you guys think the cruise will still leave instead of being cancelled? I'm devastated about potentially losing all of the money we saved for this cruise, but I cant leave her, our house, or our pets behind as it stands now. Pet boarding is already threatening to cancel our reservation if the track doesn't improve.

I'm at a loss with all of this...

TBH, if you trusted them without a storm you can probably trust them with a storm. You're probably not going to protect them any better being there, storm is the same either way.

More cost effective measure might be to book them a hotel somewhere North than to lose the whole cruise.